Microfibers are super linty.

PouncingPanzer

PouncingPanzer

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So, this has been an issue for a year or two now. It seemed to happen suddenly and everything was linty. Leaves linty in windows the worse, but paint as well. I wash them with microfiber specific detergent, and air dry. Then, before folding and putting away, I go over both sides with a linty roller multiple times. There is no noticeable change, unfortunately. Any tips guys? There are a lot of towels about to get demoted to doing really dirty cleaning and shop use. The wife will love to hear I am ordering lake $300 in New microfiber towels HA!

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This may seem counter-intuitive, but is the lint roller loosening the fibers? I always put mine in the dryer, but I have toned down the heat from what I used to do. I know there is a member on Autopia who says that when his towels get old they start shedding more; I haven't experienced that personally, but he may put more cycles on his towels than I do.
 
I sometimes wonder if they pick up lint in the washing process, if one bad one goes in it releases lint that the others pick up. I haven't tried washing my premium MFs seperate to the "general duty" ones.
 
Start drying in the dryer, just make sure to clean the lint trap good before drying your towels. I’d go the extra mile and take your vacuum to the lint trap if you have a super long crevice tool to really get in there.

I have a 36” flexible tube attachment for my shop vac that I stick into the lint trap every 6 months or so to make sure there’s no lint inside the dryer.

Drying towels in the dryer removes lint. Hang drying does not.
 
Maybe cross contamination from the regular wash that goes in?
I always wash MF with MF but we have one washing machine and it get's other stuff put into it.

I always air dry inside never outside due to weather conditions,
Dust or smoke etc,

I use the cheap china bulk buy pack one's for interior and korean for glass and paint work.
 
It only takes ONE linting towel to contaminate a batch of towels. This can happen in the washing machine, and in the dryer as well. The hard part is finding which towel is the offender, so you either put up with it or buy new towels.
 
So I never washed standard laundry with them, but the same washer, obviously. I used to dry low heat but tried the air drying recently to see if it helped, it didn't. I was suspect that dryer was source but clearly not. Thankfully, I have some new Rag Company towels I forgot about gonna see if they are 1) lint-free and 2) going to keep them segregated from other microfibers.

Some of the towels are going on 7-9 years for sure, perhaps it is time to rotate some new ones in, starting with these Rag Company ones I "rediscovered".

I plan to conduct an experiment though. One load with the MicroRestore detergent and vinager in the softner pod. My wife informed me vinager has good anti-static properties for standard laundry. I also read the same on Reddit last night.

The other load will be our Dreft free & clear detergent, has nothing in it as it is for newborns and their sensitive skin. Also with vinager in softner pod.

Both will begin in dryer on low heat for about 45 minutes and then pull em for hanging the rest of the way. I will vacuum the lint trap this time, guilty of only pulling off what I can by hand typically.

Thanks guys!

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The lint roller could be a factor since it could be leaving some adhesive on the microfibers. I always air dry my microfibers and don't have any issue with lint. Also, sometimes it can be a case of sticky paint that leaves lint on the surface.
 
Bri26 said:
The lint roller could be a factor since it could be leaving some adhesive on the microfibers. I always air dry my microfibers and don't have any issue with lint. Also, sometimes it can be a case of sticky paint that leaves lint on the surface.
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Yea I'm gonna stop with the lint roller, that's a good point about possible leaving adhesive behind. I'll find out when I wash the Jetta if I had any success with the two control groups of towels I have so far. Whichever ones, if any, don't leave lint, will determine my methods going forward.

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Where are they being stored? In clear containers that are seeing sunlight? If they're seeing UV, that could contribute to fibers breaking down over time.
 
MisterSnoop said:
Where are they being stored? In clear containers that are seeing sunlight? If they're seeing UV, that could contribute to fibers breaking down over time.
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Yes, similar clear plastic drawers, but in my basement. There is a window overhead, but it is fogged glass blocks, I suppose over the years that may contribute.

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PouncingPanzer said:
Yes, similar clear plastic drawers, but in my basement. There is a window overhead, but it is fogged glass blocks, I suppose over the years that may contribute.

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I'd doubt that gets much UV in comparison to being in a garage with the door left open frequently, etc.
 
Had 3 packs worth of these RC towels that were never used. Using them in the meantime. The Jettas black roof will be a true test for the washed/used ones. Hopefully I can wash it Thursday but we'll see.
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Ordered a 32-oz container of Rags to Riches to try. I've always used DI MicroRestore, but being I just wash a fleet of three cars, it takes me forever to go through a gallon of it. My current gallon is probably 2/3 full still and 3+ years old. When I first got into detailing 12ish years ago, there weren't nearly as many microfiber specific detergents.

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You think Rags to Riches will help with your linting problem? I'm kind of skeptical that changing detergent will help that, but let us know. I'm in the same boat as you and a long way from trying Rags to Riches because I have a gallon and a half of other wash to use up.
 
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You could also try using a washing machine cleaner product such as affresh. It's usually a powder that you pour into the washing machine and run it with an empty load to clean out the machine.
 
Even after all these years.....I still haven't concluded it. What cause MF to *lint rot*.....My MFM started lifting badly after a a few uses. To the point. where I don't even bother using them at all. All other makes/manuf (In daily rotation is TRC and Griots PFM) have never developed this issue .
 
Setec Astronomy said:
You think Rags to Riches will help with your linting problem? I'm kind of skeptical that changing detergent will help that, but let us know. I'm in the same boat as you and a long way from trying Rags to Riches because I have a gallon and a half of other wash to use up.
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I don't know or think anything, but I figured it was worth a shot. Like anything else, I'm sure there have been chemical advances in detergents like anything else we buy and use on a regular basis. That DI MicroRestore is ancient by comparison.

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chefwong said:
Even after all these years.....I still haven't concluded it. What cause MF to *lint rot*.....My MFM started lifting badly after a a few uses. To the point. where I don't even bother using them at all. All other makes/manuf (In daily rotation is TRC and Griots PFM) have never developed this issue .
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It was all so sudden...didn't become a gradually growing problem. Just one day my black roof on the Jetta was covered in lint after a wipedown. Set that particular towel aside but everyone after it was the same. At that point, I knew I had a problem.

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Which products do you usually use to wash and dry your Jetta? I'm wondering if over time they broke down whatever holds the microfiber fibers to the towel.
 
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